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In an effort to keep my sanity during the final push of the semester – and also because I am a serial procrastinator with writing papers – my friend Amy and I are going to see Ra Ra Riot tomorrow night at Mohawk Place. This will be my very first concert in Buffalo! It seems like they have a lot of good bands come to this or the surrounding area (we’re right near Toronto and Rochester – bonus!). In February, I’m going with the Buffalo crew to see Passion Pit and Matt & Kim in Toronto. Pinch me – I think I’m dreaming.

These guys had one of my favorite songs this summer and are coming to Rochester in January – I CAN’T WAIT!!!

You should know Janelle Monae because of her collaboration on Fun.’s track “We Are Young” from earlier this year. This woman just knows how to SING. She also has killer dance moves and a bitchin’ hairdo. I’m jealous.

Yes, I’m avoiding work again because it’s become so immense as we get closer to the end of the semester. However, I’m currently sitting in a booth in the library and a young girl gave me a packet of Smarties with a flyer promoting fun study activities that a student group is hosting during finals week. While I won’t be attending the listed events (sorry, lady – I’ve got sh*t to do), I have already inhaled the sleeve of Smarties. Mmmm…. sugar 🙂

Oh, you know me – just procrastinating and avoiding this research that I’m supposed to be doing.

I had an interesting weekend and I made a new friend. Well, we were friends before, but we actually spent a lot of time together this weekend. I know Amy through my PhD friends, but now I can actually say I’m friends with her: I joined her book club, went to karaoke with her, went bowling, went to brunch – it was pretty kick-ass. My PhD friends are in Vegas this weekend and with my high need for affiliation, I was craving some human contact. It was really nice to hang out with someone who isn’t in my program – well, besides the fantastic date I went on last weekend. More on that in another post. 🙂

I first heard about Macklemore from Blian (who, somehow, is always 3 steps ahead of me when finding new and kickin’ music). In my opinion, he’s a great follow up to what the Beasties have done for rap. Now that MCA has passed, kids just getting into rap will never be able to see all 3 of them together live. Don’t get me wrong – Jay-Z is one of the kings of the game (he *always* makes it onto my running playlist), but I hold a very special place in my musical heart for the Beastie Boys.

You’re going to want to stop everything you’re doing and listen to this song.

I came across these songs and thought I could put them together in a related post. Who doesn’t love a fresh take on a beloved vocalist?

This first one I heard a while ago when I lived in Philly. Childish Gambino is the rap name of Donald Glover a.k.a. Troy from the NBC comedy “Community.” When he first got his start, he was MCDJ but got his current stage name from a Wu Tang Clan name generator. For reference, although the beat is pretty sweet (I’m a fan of rhyming), the language is probably not appropriate for kiddie ears.

This second song I found in the We Are Hunted app on Spotify. Spotify is like Pandora, but you can create your own playlists too. You better believe I have quite a few playlists lined up – especially for doing work and writing papers. Josh Heinrichs puts a Bob Marley spin on Adele that I really dig.

This week is going to be crazy with work, and also crazy awesome. I’ll be sure to post an update as soon as I get the chance to put some thoughts together.

It’s Thanksgiving this week! I’m so excited to be seeing my family. I don’t remember the last time I saw my sister – she lives in Rhode Island now and doesn’t get to travel to this side of the Northeast ever. I’ve been so swamped with work this week so far. I’m actually supposed to be writing a stupid paper as I write this, but blogging seemed like a better way to take a break.

So besides getting to see my family, I’m also excited for this weekend. I’m going on a date. Yes – a real life “post-college where you meet other people who didn’t go to the same school as you and therefore are super interesting” date. He’s in the circle of friends that I’ve been spending most of my free time (hah! what free time?!). He originally asked me out to dinner, but he changed his mind and is now planning a surprise date. I love surprises, but when you tell me that you’re surprising me, I get super anxious and curious. I hope it has something to do with a fire-breathing dragon, but since they do not exist in real life, I’m keeping my other ideas down to earth.

If you know me, you know I love the Internet. Not just “Oh, yeah – the Internet is a great place to get the information I’m looking for!” Nay. It’s more of a “ERMAGHERD! I HAVEN’T CHECKED MY EMAIL IN 3 MINUTES?? WHAT IF I GET SOMETHING I NEED TO RESPOND TO *RIGHT NOW*?????!?!!! ARE THOSE PUPPIES IN SWEATERS??? LOOK AT THIS THUNDERSTORM TAKEN FROM THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION YOU GUYZZ!!! DID YOU HEAR THAT JOE BIDEN IS GOING TO BE ON PARKS AND REC NEXT WEEK!! LOL” type of love.

It’s not a problem – I swear.

So, as I’ve mentioned before, I love the fact that the Internet allows me to listen to my favorite alt rock station in Philly without being within FM receiver range. Thanks to the wizards that control the Internet and the bitchin’ music that they play at Radio 104.5, I heard this song.

I thought this song was appropriate for two reasons: #1. It’s an awesome song. Boom. #2. It has been sweater weather in Buffalo for a while now. Actually, it’s just recently turned to “Ugh. I have to take the dog out to pee? Let me put on 7 layers of clothing” weather. As soon as the snow hits, it’ll make the chilliness totally worth it.

I heard this song about a month ago. It came on the radio and my roommate and I commenced rockin’ out in my boat of a car.

“Hey! I like this song! It-…wait. Does this sound like The Police to you?”

Boom. Hit the nail right on the head. Want proof?

The Police are incredible. #1. I remember listening to their songs with my parents when I was younger. #2. Their song is really fun to play on Rock Band. This further strengthens my argument from before that a lot of music that is currently being pumped out is heavily influenced by some bitchin’ earlier artists who knew their stuff.

Happy Wednesday everyone! It’s chilly in Buffalo today – we had black ice early this morning! If it’s cold where you are, stay warm 🙂

I friggin’ love the Beastie Boys. When I went to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this summer, I got to see the goggles and gloves they used in the “Intergalactic” video. It was pretty amazing.

Next week, I’ll be going to Florida for the Southern Management Association conference! I’m super stoked because it’ll be my first time in the Sunshine State. Speaking of sunshine, it’s a beautiful day here in the Queen City – it’s supposed to get up to 76 degrees! What the what?!? It’s out of character for October but I’ll take it.